Born April 15, 1861 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Son of William Carman and Sophia Mary Bliss (Sophia Mary Bliss was a descendent of Daniel Bliss of Concord, Massachusetts, the great-grandfather of Ralph Waldo Emerson; and was the aunt of Charles G.D. Roberts).

Educated at Collegiate Grammar School, Fredericton, along with his cousin Charles G.D. Roberts. In 1878 entered the University of New Brunswick, where he excelled in classics. Graduated in 1881.